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The National Center for Meteorology placed four regions under red-level alerts for severe weather beginning Sunday, with the warnings covering multiple governorates and extending across open areas as well as major highways. In Jazan, the alert encompasses locations including Ahad Al Masarihah, Abu Arish and Sabya, while Asir faces coverage in Muhayil, Rijal Al Ma and Al Mejardah according to the center’s early warning platform. Al-Baha and Makkah similarly received the highest alert tier for expected torrential rains, with the National Center for Meteorology specifying impacts such as active winds, hail falls, thunder strikes and sharply reduced horizontal visibility. The center updated its alerts throughout the weekend to reflect evolving conditions across the southwest.
According to the National Center for Meteorology, moderate to heavy thunderstorms capable of producing flash floods will persist from midday into late evening in the designated zones. The forecast indicates rainfall intensities that could trigger sudden water flows in valleys and low-lying terrain typical of these mountainous areas. Adjacent regions including parts of Madinah and Najran fall under lower-tier orange or yellow alerts for lighter to moderate precipitation, the center reported in its comprehensive outlook. These warnings form part of an active weather pattern that has prompted repeated alerts in recent weeks.
The National Center for Meteorology advised residents to monitor official updates and avoid travel in vulnerable locations during the peak alert period. Flash flood risks remain elevated in areas with steep topography, where rapid runoff has historically caused disruptions. Data published by the center on its early warning system underscores the need for caution on highways where visibility may drop abruptly amid hail and wind-driven dust. Coordination with local authorities ensures that response measures align with the evolving forecasts.
In its assessment, the National Center for Meteorology noted that such events align with seasonal thunderstorm activity across the kingdom’s southern and western provinces during October. Comparable red alerts were issued in prior weeks for overlapping territories in Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah, reflecting sustained moisture inflow. The center’s records show that accumulations in similar episodes have varied but frequently reached levels sufficient to prompt safety notices for residents and commuters alike.
Civil defense teams, informed by National Center for Meteorology bulletins, have reinforced calls for the public to steer clear of flood channels and low-lying wadis. Past incidents tied to comparable weather have included temporary road closures and heightened rescue operations in the affected governorates. The National Center for Meteorology continues to track the system’s progression, providing hourly refinements to its digital maps and alerts for maximum preparedness.
Coastal sectors of the impacted regions may see fog development overnight and into Monday morning once the main storms subside, according to the National Center for Meteorology. Temperatures are projected to moderate in highland zones such as Al-Baha and Abha following the rainfall, while eastern areas of the kingdom register higher readings. The center’s latest forecast places humidity levels at elevated percentages across western provinces, contributing to the overall instability.
